Burwash Parish Council
Minutes of the Council Meeting
Held on the 12th July 2016, at 7.00pm in Parish Room (Internet Room), The Bear Car Park
Present
Vice-Chair – Cllr McBride, Cllr Crabtree, Cllr Caulkin, Cllr Dixon,
Cllr Durrant, Cllr Elmslie, Cllr Jenner, Cllr Kenny, Cllr Nash and Cllr Pope
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Vereker and Cllr Moore gave their apologies.
2. Disclosures of Interest
No declarations made.
3. Report from County and District Councillors
Cllr Barnes reported County had met 71% of their targets 2015/16. Main ones missed due to the economic situation. A further £17 million of cuts are needed likely to be more.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED – minutes of the Council Meeting held as a correct record of the proceedings:
a. Parish Council EGM held on 27/06/16
b. Parish Council EGM held on the 29/06/16
c. Parish Council meeting held on the 14/06/16
5. Correspondence to the Clerk
a. Burwash Weald and Common Fete – David Elmslie asked if the council would have a stand at the event. It was confirmed that the Council would attend.
b. Flag pole – the flag pole on the High Street has been cut down. The clerk has reported it to the police and has a crime number. If councillors have any information to let the Clerk know.
c. Grass Cutting – Having spoken to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) the grass wasn’t cut by Ham Lane due to cars being parked there. It was explained that cars regularly park there and requested the use of a screen to protect parked cars which they said they would look into. Next cut is due 21/07/16 a notice will be put up urging people not to park there so the grass can be parked.
d. New dog bins have now been installed at Shrub Lane and Downs Meadow.
6. Finance (standing item)
a. Bank balances at 31/05/16 are £35,507.10 in current account and £10,662.50 in the savings account.
b. RESOLVED – to approve the following payments. The voting was unanimous.
Payment Schedule / Cheque No. / AmountClerk Salary / 102040
Clerk Expenses / 102041 / £96.96
Pet Waste / 102042 / £48.00
HMRC / 102043 / £28.79
Accountant / 102044 / £90.00
Rent of Hut 25/06/16 to 24/09/16 / 102045 / £50.00
SLCC Subscription / 102046 / £210.00
Internal Auditor Fee / 102047 / £195.29
City Escape / 102048 / £165.90
c. Budget monitor was received; earmarked reserves are at £32,709; the Vice-Chair checked and signed the bank reconciliations.
7. Traffic Calming
Councillors have been reviewing the potential opportunities available to Burwash Parish Council for traffic calming proposals to address concerns about the potential for pedestrian injury caused by heavy traffic on the A265.
RESOLVED – Agreed the overall proposal received Speed and Traffic portfolio holders Cllr Crabtree and Cllr Durrant. The paper looked to research further including but not limited to a) advisory 20mph speed limit b) gate-style village signs c) potential road markings
RESOLVED – To formally approach the Highways Authority with a proposal to trial a 20mph restriction covering an area (to be identified) on either side of the school crossing patrol on the A265 in Burwash.
8. Parking
Councillors reviewed the new proposed parking letter.
RESOLVED – To update parking letter to have a higher emphasis on the issues of emergency vehicle access and bin lorries not getting through resulting in residents not having their rubbish collected. Residents will be free to use this in their areas if they wish.
9. Speedwatch
Written report submitted on first trial run of Burwash Speedwatch Group. 7 volunteers have signed up and 9 sessions have been completed in 5 different areas.
RESOLVED – The remaining money from the earmarked £250 is spent on any additional set up items for Speedwatch use.
10. Burwash in Bloom
Report showed that there were 49 entries this year. Winners for 2016:
The winners in the Residents’ classes were
· Best Overall effect: Barbara Viney – Cobwebs, Greenfield Road
· Hanging Baskets – Helena Fenner – Yaxley, High Street
· Window Boxes, tubs or troughs – Janet Matthews – Vine House, High Street
· Best use of sustainable ideas – Steve Payne - The Allotment Garden, Burwash
· Best Front Garden - John McCartney – Westdown Cottage, Burwash Common
Business Class winners were
· Hanging Baskets – The Flower House
· Window boxes, tubs and troughs, The Bear
· Highly commended for overall effect – The Rose and Crown
Congratulations to all of those who took the time to enter and the winners.
11. Neighbourhood Plan
The NP working group agreed to hold a further meeting within the next 3 weeks to produce the following:
a. Finalise the consultation questionnaire and call for sites letter
b. Review the scope of the work required to finish the Housing section including timescales
c. Report back to the August Parish Council meeting with the result of this work and seek approval for the expenditure relating a. above
The Clerk advised that priority needs to be given to writing a project plan, budget, updating the website to include contact details and all the minutes from the previous meetings and applying for the grant funding.
12. Co-Option Policy
RESOLVED – Councillors resolved the proposed policy form the Clerk.
13. Burwash School
RESOLVED – To spend £500 towards the ‘mud-kitchen’ funds for the school.
14. Hastoe Update
Block A will now be taken down which is six out of the ten houses on the exception site down Shrub Lane. Councillors will invite Hastoe to their next full council meeting.
15. Meeting closed at 8.20pm